Madara stared intently at Su Xiao. He had begun to suspect quietly whether Su Xiao was a spy sent by the opposition.

No wonder Madara felt this way; after all, Su Xiao’s plan was somewhat too ’unconventional,’ making it hard for Madara to accept right away.

Madara’s hands seemed to hang beside him, but he was actually ready to use ’Annihilation by Great Fire’ to kill Su Xiao.

"My plan sounds absurd, but its actual risk is very low."

Su Xiao collaborated with Madara for two reasons: one, to secure kills—not quite, it should be to finish off opponents—and two, to hunt down the strong.

At this moment, Su Xiao was presented with an opportunity. He intended to have Obito revive Madara and simultaneously resurrect Senju Hashirama.

Indeed, Su Xiao’s plan was indeed that crazy. He intended to face Senju Hashirama alone; as for how to kill him, he certainly wouldn’t confront him head-on, nor would it involve other storyline characters. The combat power at most would be Su Xiao, Bubu Wang, and A Mu.

Su Xiao’s strength was enough to deal with a single Kage alone, while Senju Hashirama could easily defeat a Kage. In such calculations, after Su Xiao confronted Senju Hashirama, his survival rate would not exceed 30%.

Note, this isn’t the probability of defeat, but the survival rate.

Despite this, Su Xiao still wanted to resurrect Senju Hashirama, not because he’d had enough of life, but because he indeed had the confidence to single-handedly face Senju Hashirama.

"Madara, you wouldn’t suspect I’m the mole, would you?"

"Hmph."

Dragon’s Pride Ban snorted coldly, the meaning obvious: aren’t you one?

"First of all, Senju Hashirama has already been brought out by Edo Tensei. Although his current strength isn’t as it was in life, he’s certainly not weak. At present, he has two advantages: the Undead + Infinite Chakra."

Madara still hadn’t spoken but tacitly agreed with Su Xiao’s statement.

"If we don’t eliminate him, his role in the war is significant. Not only does he possess astonishing combat strength, but he can also help the living make some dangerous probes. Most importantly, he is now a leader, and you should be clearer than me how high Hashirama’s leadership charm was."

Su Xiao looked toward Obito, who was locked in chaotic battle with numerous ninjas. Despite being besieged by many, Obito still had the upper hand—this was the Power of the Six Paths.

Madara also watched Obito, coveting the Power of the Six Paths.

"What you say makes some sense, but the living Hashirama is far stronger than you imagine."

Madara was sorting his thoughts; currently, he was isolated and alone, so he didn’t want to fall out directly with Su Xiao.

"To others, the living Hashirama is terrifying, but to me, he isn’t. Conversely, when he gains life, weaknesses will appear. Hashirama Cells aren’t perfect."

"No, Hashirama Cells are perfect and can compete with the Sharingan."

Madara’s expression was evidently displeased. Though he regarded Hashirama as an enemy, he harbored considerable respect for him.

"In your era, the Senju Clan was a formidable opponent, but Hashirama has been deceased for a long time, and everything about him has been thoroughly studied by people."

"..."

This time, Madara couldn’t argue; he’d discovered after being brought out by Edo Tensei that Hashirama Cells had been transplanted within him, but they were just ordinary Hashirama Cells.

"You don’t really understand the secrets of Hashirama Cells."

"Is... it really so?"

A test tube slid from Su Xiao’s sleeve, containing a pale green liquid.

"This is..."

Madara’s expression finally changed.

"This thing is named Original Hashirama Cells, which are the cells from before Hashirama’s death, and those descriptions of yours about Original Hashirama Cells..."

Before Su Xiao finished his sentence, he found Madara staring directly at him.

"That information was just something I wrote casually."

Madara changed the topic, it seemed he also knew how abstract his descriptions were when he wrote that information.

"Which means, you know Hashirama Cells well?"

"Of course, I produced many things using Hashirama Cells, while enhancing them, I naturally had ways to weaken them."

"To what extent can you weaken them?"

Madara seemed somewhat intrigued, knowing well that ignoring Hashirama brought out by Edo Tensei would lead to endless trouble.

Su Xiao, Obito, and Madara Uchiha—none of these three seemed adept at sealing abilities, and now, in a state of betrayal, when the talisman in Obito’s heart breaks, he might reflect on himself briefly and forcibly redeem himself.

If things turned that way, it would be Su Xiao + Madara vs. Five Great Shinobi Villages + Former Hokage + Orochimaru + Samurai of the Iron Country + Hundreds of Contractors.

Should it truly reach that state, Su Xiao would bid Madara farewell, returning to Reincarnation Paradise, leaving Madara to face innumerable enemies.

It’s not that Su Xiao lacks trustworthiness, as Madara was thinking roughly the same; if the situation looked grim, he would promptly undo Edo Tensei and let Zetsu continue to find opportunities.

The current situation was such that Obito was strong enough to withstand the ninja army, but he might betray at any moment.

After resurrection, Naruto, Sasuke, and Minato Namikaze, were nothing to Madara, who truly feared only Hashirama.

"How can you be certain that once Hashirama is resurrected, you’ll manage to lead him away?"

"A 60% chance, provided you cooperate."

"My cooperation?"

"Yes."

Madara listened with some confusion, feeling faintly that this person was absolutely abnormal, as his thinking was different from 99.99% of ninjas.

"This is how it goes..."

Su Xiao began discussing with Madara, and Madara quickly grasped the situation.

"Success will hinge on our acting skills."

"The situation... could indeed develop that way."

Madara began pondering, soon presenting his own view.

After several revisions to the plan, Su Xiao and Madara reached an agreement. Madara evidently did not want Hashirama to continue stirring trouble on the battlefield. Upon his resurrection, he would be weak for a time, and if he were held up by the undead Hashirama then, it could be very troublesome.

Newly resurrected, only to be surrounded and killed by the Ninja Union Army, Madara couldn’t accept such an outcome. Consequently, he agreed to Su Xiao’s plan of attracting fire or, rather, they mutually assisted each other in attracting fire and covering the retreat.

"If you succeed in revival, how long would it take to transform into that state?"

Su Xiao gestured toward Obito in the distance, inquiring about the time needed for Madara to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.

"If all goes well, within an hour, but there’s something I can’t quite understand: why did you come to me for collaboration when the idea of obtaining Divine Tree Fruit seems like just an excuse? So, tell me a reason that I can trust.

Madara couldn’t grasp why Su Xiao sought cooperation.

Hearing Madara’s question, Su Xiao’s mind raced. He couldn’t say he wanted to complete a Hidden Task, which necessitated an alliance with Madara.

"After stirring the war, do you really think there’s a chance for me to peacefully coexist with the Five Great Shinobi Villages? Either they die, or I do. At the onset, our side held an advantage, but alas, Obito and Dou performed ’too excellently’ in the war."

Su Xiao wasn’t certain whether this reason would suffice, but he needed Madara to understand that both were now in the same predicament, mutual suspicion had lost its meaning.

Was this really the case? Of course not, as Su Xiao could return anytime to Reincarnation Paradise, which was his primary reason for participating in the Fourth Ninja World War.

"I’m quite curious about the means you’ll use to battle Hashirama."

Madara knew well that now only two remained on their side, and mutual suspicion was unwise.

PS: {Three more Chapters to follow.}